How We Tested Baby Strollers

In our review of full-size strollers, we found that 10 of the 36 strollers evaluated in 2010 were potentially dangerous, as there is tight space between the stroller frame and hood or the arms of the hood tension devices to accommodate little fingers, potentially leading to a young child's finger being injured. Find out what methods the Good Housekeeping Research Institute used to test these strollers and learn what to look for when purchasing a baby stroller. Check out our full report of stroller reviews, which were based on stability, ease of use, maneuverability, effectiveness of brakes, and safety.

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Buying a stroller has become a major purchasing decision for new and expectant parents. Prices range from about $150 to nearly $1,000 and with features being extremely lifestyle friendly — from including cup holders for parent and child beverages to special compartments for easy storage to convertible options (turning a child's seat into a changing table). But, of course, safety is the most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a stroller. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 12,400 injuries to children under 5 in 2008. There has been a rash of stroller recalls recently, including the recall of 1 million Maclaren umbrella strollers in November 2009.

Because of the recent recalls, the engineers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) gave special attention to the folding mechanisms and tension devices in the hood and any other potential danger points. GHRI engineers discovered two key hazards — a pinch point at the hood's tension mechanism and a point where the hood's hinges close when the stroller's hood is being folded or opened.

Why are strollers with potentially dangerous hood hinges considered to have met the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)? The ASTM standard for strollers doesn't encompass accessory items when they are moving. As we evaluated strollers at GHRI, we paid special attention to the potential scissoring, shearing, and pinching of the hood mechanisms.

The strollers that didn't meet GHRI standards for safety are:

1. Walkabye Terrani

2. Go Go Babyz Urban Advantage

3. Trends for Kids Joggster X

4. Maclaren Grand Tour LX

5. Contours Lite Series

6. Combi-USA Cosmo Ex

7. Combi-Intl Savvy EX

8. Evenflo Aura Elite TS

9. Maxi Cosi Loola

10. Jeep Cherokee Sport

What the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Looked for in Strollers

GHRI evaluated the strollers for:

Compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

Potential areas where little fingers could be seriously injured.

Maneuverability.

Ease of pushing and turning.

Stability.

Ease of reclining the stroller seat.

Ease of using the baby harness.

How comfortable the handlebar was to grip and adjust.

Storage space available.

Watch our video to learn how to detect safety hazards on your stroller:

How the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Tested Strollers

Every manufacturer was required to provide American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) certification to verify that its stroller passed ASTM's safety standards.

To check for pinch points, which could cause accidents, GHRI used a test probe to simulate the finger of a child age birth to 2. We identified potentially hazardous finger hot spots by placing the probe between the frames and hinges of the hoods. If the probe came into contact with the hinges or frame and prevented the hood from fully folding or unfolding, the stroller was considered hazardous.

To perform the following tests, we placed a 7.5-pound test doll and a 20-pound weight in each stroller and:

Pushed it over pavement, grass, sand and dirt, rocks and gravel, and cobblestone to see how well the stroller handled smooth and different rough terrains.

Built five obstacles of varying heights — from 0.650 inches to 2.10 inches — and evaluated how high of an obstacle the stroller could climb carrying 27.5 pounds without requiring harder pushing or kicking up its front wheels.

Maneuvered the stroller through an obstacle course.

Placed the stroller on a sandpaper-covered platform and applied the brakes. Then, using a digital force gauge, we measured how much force was required to move the stroller forward.

Measured stability by hanging weights from the handlebars where a parent typically hangs a diaper bag and gradually added more until the stroller tipped backwards.

How to Choose a Stroller

Ask yourself how you intend to use it: Will you primarily be using the stroller to walk around city streets or will you be taking it in and out of the car a lot? Will you need to carry the stroller onto public transportation, wheel it through narrow supermarket aisles, or maneuver it on uneven park paths? Will you use it to jog with your baby? Such considerations will help determine if it matters whether the stroller you buy is light or heavy, narrow and easy to fold and unfold, or needs to be super-durable.

Fold and unfold the stroller. Can you do it quickly and easily, or is it a chore?

Inspect the stroller for potential safety hazards. Check for pinch points by moving a pencil (which is about the size of a child's finger) between the stroller frame and hood hinges. Close the hood to make sure that there is enough space for the pencil to fit easily. The pencil should be able to move freely without being pinched when the hinges are closed. Also look for any sharp corners.

Many of today's strollers are equipped with a five-point harness: two straps over the shoulders, two around the waist, and all joined at a crotch strap. (Older restraint systems have three-point harnesses which excludes the two shoulder straps.) The extra straps secure a child's upper and lower body and prevent little ones from falling out if the stroller takes a tumble.

Check if you're able to lift and carry it comfortably. Fold it down to see if it will it fit in your trunk.

Push the stroller through the store. If you're not comfortable maneuvering it over smooth tile floors, chances are you won't like it on rougher terrains, like a lawn or sandy beach.

Check the height and comfort of the handles. If you and your partner are of different heights, consider buying a stroller with adjustable handles.

Some handlebars can be reversed or rotated, making it possible to push the stroller with the child facing the parent or facing forward. Consider how much versatility of positioning of gear you want.

Place your bag on the seat and push down on the handles slightly to see how easily it tips back.

Use the brakes. Are they easy to use? Does it take much force to push the stroller once they're engaged?

Strollers with all-terrain wheels are popular with parents who enjoy taking their tots through parks, trails, or beaches. But these larger, rugged wheels also make navigating rougher ground — like a cobblestone street — and climbing over obstacles much easier. They also help prevent the stroller from becoming momentarily stuck in a sidewalk crack. If your stroller has wheels filled with air, you'll need to keep them inflated for optimal performance. A small air pump is often included with the purchase of a stroller.

Look for features that suit your needs, such as a basket for storage, trays, and snack and drink holders. If the accessory isn't available on the model you're considering, find out if it's available separately.